Every year, Nerene's village shelters in Varasay City while the surrounding lands flood. Varasay only protects those who obey its laws though, and after Nerene's best friend, Sande, starts a factory riot, he's in danger of being cast out. So Nerene finds Lord Osperacy, a traveling thief with enough money and power to save her friend, but he'll only help her if she agrees to work for him.